Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-04-07
THE NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent
wAsHINGToN, March 2sth, 1887

Secretary Whitney has placed an
other brilliant feather in the cap of this
Administration. Probably no Demo-
crat, not even Samuel ]. Tilden while
living, ever received sucn unstinted
praise from the Republican press as has
been showered upon him during the
past week. Nothing has been done by
sny member of Mr.. Cleveland's Cabi-
net since it was organized, more calcu-
lated to win popularity than is the act
of the Secretary of the Navy by which
the work Of fOrtifying our seaports and
building ironclads is established on
solid foundation.
From every side his energy and
sagacity is applauded, the work he has
done to beguile bidders to accept offer
ed terms, and the ability he exhibits in
directing the general work of his de-
partment 1t really looks too as If the
name of Mr.. Whitney would be associ-
ated in history with the building of the
American Navy. The response to him
was so prompt that the work of fitting
up the Washington Navy Yard as an
ordnance factory for the assembling
and completion of heavy guns and steel
forgings, will be begun soon and rapid
Nv CATTICu lOEWuLus 1NCCulCoo uOAoJ .
can be avoided because it is shown
that the gun forgings and armor plates
can be furnished in much shorter
time than was supposed.
For more than eighteen months Sec
retary Whitney has been industriously
devising the means that make success
possible. He has been studying the
conditions of ihe problem, determln-
ing the needs of defensive armor, gaug-
ing the impact of projectiles, fixing on
tests by which the department will be
governed, and making the induce
ments as attractive as possible.
Since all the iron foundries of the
country are pressed with unfulfilled en-
gagements for months ahead, at high
prices, some surprise was expressed that
there should have been a single bid fol
the millions of dollars worth Of work
that was proposed. But the proprietor
ofthe Bethlehem company foresaw that
the boom would not last, and that il
would pay to work for Uncle Sam ever
on more reasonable terms, because hi
Job would last for decade or so, botf
summer and winter, and his pay il
sure.
1t is to be hoped that there will be M
more lamentations for the present ovel
the failure of the Naval bills: At least
Secretary Whitney Is satisfied with the
outlook. He says the problem which
puzzled everybody is solved, and thai
the work of fortifying coasts and equip
ing ships is in just as good shape as i
would have been if the Senate bills hat
become laws.
Since I wrote you the long discussed
Interstate Commerce Commission ha
been completed, announced, comment
ed upon, approved, and it is about t.
organize and go to work. The fiv
lawyers composing it, and who repre-
sent the States of Alabama, Illinois
Michigan, New York and Vermont, ar
practically placed in charge of privat
property valued at about seven thous
and million dollars. This tremendou
responsibility is greatly increased whe
it is remembered that almost the er
tire internal commerce of the countr
is affected by the action of this ne'
court.
No one doubts the honesty of tn
members of the Commission, and the
are all conceded to be men of ability
but their labors will be complex an
comprehensive, the new law is vas
problem; every feature of its operation
more or less perilous, and whatever
done. the Commission will be criticise
and opposed on every side. The raj
road men, shippers and travellers, pr
ducers and consumers are waiting
pour complaints, queries, communic
lions and requests by the thousand vi
on the Commissioners as soon as the
are ready to receive them, and wi
make their lives burdensome, of cours
The effect of that new law upon th
city will be pronounced. Practically
gives the Capital new Governmel
Department A large and importa1
bureau will be organized at once
large clerical and official force will
appointed by the Commission. leg
and other representatives of oil Il
railroads In the United States will
drawn here, besides thousands of pc
pie interested in questions brought b
fore the Commission. Altogether
will add greatly to the activity of t
coming summer in Washington.